Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium species parasites and transmitted to humans by the Anopheles mosquito. The malaria parasites responsible for infection in humans are Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Although malaria cases originating from Turkey no longer occur, cases originating from abroad are still seen. This report evaluates the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and histories of seven imported malaria cases. All seven cases in this report had a history of travel to African countries together with fever (>39°C), weakness, headache, tremor, sweating, cough, general body pain, and severe shortness of breath. Appropriate treatment was arranged once the necessary examinations had been performed. All patients but one responded to treatment. The non-responsive patient re-presented after 15 days with similar complaints. Primaquine therapy at 15 mg tablet 2×1 was administered, and that patient was discharged after 14 days. The most effective means of bringing malaria under control involves rapid diagnosis and effective treatment. We wish to emphasize that imported cases may be seen in non-endemic regions due to international travel. The travel history of patients in sporadic regions should be investigated, and malaria should be considered in the presence of fever in order to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
Highlights
Malaria remains a common infectious disease in much of the world
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium species parasites and transmitted to humans by the Anopheles mosquito
Malaria cases originating from Turkey no longer occur, cases originating from abroad are still seen
Summary
Malaria remains a common infectious disease in much of the world. The agent is protozoan parasites from the family Plasmodidae. We describe seven cases presenting with histories of travel and fever in which malaria needed to be considered at differential diagnosis. Seven male patients, aged [22-56] years, were admitted to our outpatient clinic between June and September. These had complaints of fever (>39°C), weakness, headache, chills, chills, sweating, coughing, generalized body pain, and severe shortness of breath. In the light of the region from which the patients had arrived, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) was suspected as the cause of malaria. This was regarded as resistant to chloroquine, and treatment with Artemether (20 mg)-lumefantrine (120 mg) 2×4 tablets was initiated (three days). Patients with clinical and laboratory improvement were discharged, and no relapse was observed at six-month follow-up
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